Page 20 of Ruin
She sighs after a moment. “Well, that’s a rather fucked up situation. She’s lucky to have you and Daniel, though. A lot of women don’t have that.”
“I just wish we’d known what was going on, so we could have gotten her out of there sooner. As it is, Joseph apparently saw her with Daniel earlier this week, so now I’m concerned that he might try to do something to Daniel. Not that my hot-headed baby brother seems to care. I’m sure he’d welcome the fight.” Daniel has dabbled in mixed martial arts over the years, and while it requires discipline, I doubt that discipline would extend to the man who nearly killed his best friend.
Imogen straightens. “Is he dangerous? Is he likely to do something at the club?”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ve asked Connell to arrange for extra security at both locations. And to have someone discreetly follow Daniel when he leaves either of them. He would never agree to a bodyguard, so I’ve arranged for him to get one without him knowing. It’s my job to keep him safe, whether he likes it or not.”
She draws in a shaky breath. “This is all messy, Sebastian.”
I nod. “I know. I think, for the next few months, at least, it’s best you don’t go to the Sydney clubs. Daniel can handle them for the time being. I would never forgive myself if another person I cared for was dragged into that world because of choices I made.”
She scowls. “You shouldn’t feel responsible for anything that arsehole did. And you’re doing the best you can now. But yeah, I don’t want to get caught up in something if he shows up while I’m at the club, so thank you. But you should be careful too. Do you think he knows where you are?”
I run a hand through my hair, exhaustion from my sleepless night threatening to overcome me. Or maybe it’s because I just told Imogen almost everything I’ve kept bottled up for close to a decade and my body is sighing in relief.
“I don’t know if Joseph knows anything about my life now. But you know we have excellent security, and I doubt Joseph would think to look for Lily here. I think that’s why she chose to come back with me.”
Imogen shakes her head. “She would have gone wherever you were. I saw how she looked at you. You make her feel safe.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Which is ironic, because of all the people she should feel safe around, I’m at the bottom of the list.”
Imogen pushes off from her desk and marches around mine to grab my chin, forcing me to look at her as she glares down at me. “Whatever bullshit you’re spinning in your head, right now, it’s just that. Bullshit. Just because you believe she’s sweet and innocent doesn’t make you the devil.”
I pull away from her grasp. “Careful, Imogen,” I say, giving her a warning look.
She scoffs. “Or what? You don’t scare me, Sebastian DeLuca, and you never have. We’ve done some very fucked up shittogether, and I have trusted you with my safety every single time.”
I push my chair back, standing so that I’m looking down at her now. “Do I need to remind you who’s in charge, Miss Delphine?”
Her eyes flash. “I don’t know,sir. Do you?” she says with attitude. “Seems to me like you’re trying to goad me into fucking so that you can stop thinking about all of this.”
I clench my jaw so hard I’m surprised I don’t crack a tooth. “And if I am?”
A smirk appears, replacing the anger from a moment ago. “Then I say let’s do it.”
I grip her chin and kiss her hard. “Good. Because I need to fuck the insolence out of you after that.”
She chuckles. “Good luck with that.”
So I set about showing her just how much she’s pissed me off. All the while trying to ignore the emotions that this entire exchange has caused to come crashing to the surface.
9
WHAT SELF CONFIDENCE?
LILY
Annika appearsat the door of Sebastian’s suite right on 8pm, waving a bottle of wine at me when I open the door. I haven’t seen Sebastian since he disappeared off to his office and left Imogen to give me the tour, and I’m almost certain he’s avoiding me.
“Girls’ night, let’s go,” Annika says with a grin.
“Oh, okay,” I say, not entirely sure I feel up for more socialising today.
She chuckles. “There’s the enthusiasm I was hoping for. Lucky for you, I have thick skin.” She grabs my hand. “Come on, we’re going to my place.”
I open my mouth to protest as she leads me down the hall. I really don’t want to leave the mansion again today. The few hours earlier had left me feeling exhausted and on edge, and the three-hour nap I’d had didn’t really do much to fix that.
But she bypasses the stairs, heading for the other end of the hall instead. She throws open the door to the suite furthest from Sebastian’s. It couldn’t be more different from his place.While his is all dark tones and modern furniture, her’s is feminine, with pops of colour everywhere. A comfortable-looking cream couch, covered in blush coloured cushions, accompanies an overstuffed armchair that is covered in French motifs and a matching ottoman, making up the small lounge area. There’s a TV on the wall, but it’s dwarfed by the surrounding built-in bookcases, which are overflowing with brightly coloured books. A small two-person table separates the lounge area from the kitchen, and through an open door, I can see her very feminine bedroom, complete with a cream, frilly bedspread and more of the same blush cushions. It’s all very cosy, and very Annika.
